Reviving Kabaddi in Kerala: Former Pro Kabaddi League Star Shabeer Bapu Speaks About His Vision for Growth

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has become a game-changer for kabaddi in India, bringing the sport into the limelight and giving it a strong platform for growth and acceptance. Kabaddi, once restricted to a few Indian states, has seen a tremendous rise in popularity and recognition thanks to PKL.

This league has not only increased the sport's visibility but has also helped elevate it from a marginalized position in Indian sports culture. However, despite PKL's broad reach across the country, the development of kabaddi remains limited in Kerala.

Kabaddi players from Kerala face a lack of support and opportunities, preventing them from fully participating in this sporting wave. Shabeer Bapu Sharafuddin, a former PKL player and native of Kerala, shared his views on these challenges in an exclusive interview with myKhel Malayalam.

Growing Up

He pointed out the difficulties faced by kabaddi players from Kerala and discussed the potential for kabaddi's future growth in the state. For Shabeer, kabaddi was not a chance encounter. Growing up in Palakkad's Railway Colony, he developed a passion for the sport early on.

Especially when he was playing kabaddi at his local club, PKKP, and at school under the mentorship of coach Vijay Kumar. "Coming to Kabaddi is not accidental," Shabeer noted, expressing how deeply ingrained the sport was in his early life.

Going Pro

His journey to becoming a professional player began with an opportunity at Chennai's Sports Authority of India (SAI), which was a significant turning point in his career. Here, the training equipped him with the skills and discipline necessary to pursue kabaddi professionally.

After his time at SAI, Shabeer's performance in kabaddi led to a position in the Indian Army, which further advanced his career. Coaches Bhaskaran and Jagadish Kumbala provided essential training that prepared him to play at the national level.

In 2010, he joined the Indian Kabaddi team's training camp, staying involved with the national setup until 2017. "The Indian team camp is on its way to the Pro Kabaddi League. I was also in the Indian camp when the Pro Kabaddi League came in 2014. When the top performing players from the Indian camp got an opportunity in Pro Kabaddi, I too got an opportunity." Shabeer explained, recalling how his participation in the national team opened doors to PKL when it began in 2014.

His achievements with the Indian team, including winning the Kabaddi Nations Cup and securing a runner-up position at the National Games, were instrumental in his PKL entry. Today, Shabeer lives in Bengaluru, employed by SBI Bank and recognized for his kabaddi talent in Karnataka.

Kabaddi in Kerala

He captained the state team for two years. Unlike Kerala, Karnataka's kabaddi associations support players and host tournaments, which fosters growth and development. Shabeer remarked, "There has not been much recognition or support from Kerala. But Kabaddi in Karnataka is a bit more active."

He attributes Kerala's lag in kabaddi development to a lack of organizations willing to invest in the sport. In Kerala, kabaddi is mostly limited to a few tournaments in specific regions, leaving local players without adequate resources or camps.

At 38, Shabeer has stepped back from kabaddi following a hand injury in 2015. Nevertheless, he remains committed to the sport's future in Kerala. "If given the opportunity to become the coach of Kerala, I will definitely accept it," he stated, expressing his hope to nurture Kerala's kabaddi talent.

During his PKL career, Shabeer played for U Mumba, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Dabang Delhi, and Tamil Thalaivas, leaving a lasting impact. His vision is to help build a strong platform for future players in Kerala, ensuring that they get the chance to excel.